Gators Seniors Go Out On Top

First Bowl Win Since '02 Caps Pivotal Year

TAMPA — In a few seconds, center Mike Degory would pack his gym bag, exit the Raymond James Stadium storage room and walk into life as a former Florida football player.

But before departing, the man who played the most, said the most and arguably meant the most of the 17 Gator seniors offered a final reflection on the program he leaves behind.

"It's sailing in the right direction," he said. "I wish I could swim and go grab it again and get back on board."

On Monday afternoon in Tampa, there was pride in the present and confidence for the future. The stormy past? It's mattered less and less to these Gators in recent weeks, and its fade continued after the Gators' 31-24 Outback Bowl triumph over Iowa.

The victory showed just where this program stands. Florida claimed its first bowl win since Steve Spurrier's swan song at the 2002 Orange Bowl.

The 2005 Gators beat their three rivals and won a bowl game in the same season for the first time in the school's history. They scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams. They turned Monday's game on two plays coach Urban Meyer said he wouldn't have called at midseason because he didn't trust enough of the players to run them.

And afterward, they celebrated in the locker room by praising the program's progress. Seniors stood up one-by-one, several players said, and spoke about how much this win meant to their careers.

Then, each wished aloud for more time with the program they say sits on the cusp of serious success.

"They said, `I know what's going to happen,'" sophomore linebacker Brandon Siler said. "I wish I had a couple more years. I wish I had one more year."

Siler went on to call Florida a national championship contender for 2006, and for three quarters, the Gators made that tough to argue.

Jemalle Cornelius blocked a punt, and Tremaine McCollum returned it 6 yards for a touchdown. Vernell Brown intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for another score.

From there, Meyer showed a newfound trust in his troops. He passed up a field goal try seven seconds before halftime and allowed Chris Leak and the offense one more pass. The play ended with one of two touchdown catches on the day for Dallas Baker, the game's MVP with 10 receptions for 147 yards.

Then, up 31-21 in the fourth quarter, Meyer called a fake punt from Florida's 19 yard-line. Billy Latsko took a snap and ran behind Jarvis Herring, Tony Joiner and James Smith for 5 yards and a first down.

"The key players who were in there [on those plays] invested a lot in the program," defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said. "[Meyer] really believed they were going to get the job done."

They succeeded on that play but nearly failed down the stretch. Iowa would close to 31-24 on a field goal with 1:22 left, and tight end Scott Chandler appeared to recover the ensuing onsides kick.

But officials flagged the Hawkeyes for being offside, though replays seemed to show the call to be questionable at best.

Florida, meanwhile, is happy and hopeful, the exact tandem it hoped to take from here. Players said they can't remember feeling better about the program.

The ones leaving agreed after ending their careers by winning an Outback Bowl game they lost to Iowa in embarrassing fashion two years ago.

On Monday, the seniors seemed sad to go and envious of what they see ahead for the Gators.

"The talent's there," Degory said. "And the togetherness is getting there. If you start putting all the wheels in motion and all pieces together, it's a pretty good-looking puzzle."

OUTBACK BOWL RECAP

After rolling to a 24-point lead through three quarters, Florida withstood an Iowa rally before holding on for a 31-24 victory. The win gave Florida its first bowl win since the 2002 Orange Bowl, Steve Spurrier's final game as coach. The Hawkeyes scored 17 fourth-quarter points and recovered a late onside kick, but officials nullified it by flagging Iowa for being offside. The Gators looked flawless in building the lead, scoring touchdowns off a blocked punt and a 60-yard interception return by Vernell Brown. Quarterback Chris Leak threw touchdown passes of 38 and 24 yards to game MVP Dallas Baker, who finished with 10 catches for 147 yards.

Turning Point: Down 31-24, Iowa, carrying all the game's momentum, recovered an onside kick with 1:22 left and seemed primed to start a potential tying or go-ahead drive at midfield. But officials flagged the Hawkeyes for being offside, and Iowa couldn't recover the second attempt. Florida then ran out the clock.

Unsung Hero: On a day dominated by passing, true freshman tailback Kestahn Moore had 88 yards on 13 carries. The performance puts Moore at the top of his position heading into spring ball.

Key Injuries: No Gators needed assistance leaving the field, and only Brown, in his first game back from a broken leg and sprained ankle, was limping after the game.

Looking Ahead: Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. After winning the Fiesta Bowl with Utah last year, Meyer caught a 5 a.m. flight the next morning to start courting high school players. He said Monday he planned to follow suit this year and wished he could start even sooner. The players, meanwhile, will begin conditioning work after a short break and prepare for spring practice.

Final Word: "They've set a standard we hope we can continue. Go compete at the highest level." Florida coach Urban Meyer on the senior class.